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Panther chameleon - Possessing a vibrant, technicolor coat, this showy lizard is found in the eastern and northern areas of the island.

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Tomato frog - These flame-red and somewhat comedic amphibians are an endangered species.

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Giraffe weevil - One of the most celebrated—and certainly one of the most bizarre—critters of Madagascar can be admired in the eastern rain forests of the island.

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Red fody -

Common across the territory, it's the male of the species that has the bright scarlet plumage. 

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Sifaka -

The leaping form of a sifaka. Like all lemurs, sifakas are only found in Madagascar.

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Silky sifaka -

The silky sifaka is one of the rarest mammals on earth. It's found in a few protected areas in the rain forests of northeastern Madagascar.

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Golden mantella frog - One of Madagascar's most threatened amphibian species, this attractive frog is poisonous. Admire it from a distance.

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Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park - The UNESCO protected mineral forest of Tsingy de Bemaraha stands on the western coast of Madagascar. The astonishing limestone formations resemble blades and are razor sharp.

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Madagascar pochard -

Incredibly, this duck was thought to be extinct until the species was rediscovered at Lake Matsaborimena in 2006. Ornithologists flock to Madagascar just to see the extremely rare bird.

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Andringitra National Park - The Andringitra Massif, located within the Andringitra National Park, provides adventure tourists with excellent hiking and backpacking opportunities.

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Indri - Known also as the babakoto, the critically endangered indri is one of the largest lemurs found on the island. This particular species is the subject of numerous myths and legends surrounding the Malagasy people.

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Blue Coua - With its turquoise eye shadow and azure plumage, this is one of the prettiest and most fashionable of Madagascar's endemic bird species. It's a member of the cuckoo family.

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Fossa - The cat-like fossa is Madagascar's very own cougar, although the animal is closely related to the mongoose family. 

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Fossa -

Widespread but only found in forested habitats, it is a vulnerable species and generally feared by the island's population.

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Comet moth - This exquisite aerodynamic beauty is one of the world's largest silk moths.  

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Ring-tailed lemur -

The most recognized and vocal of the island's lemur populations, these loveable lemurs are nevertheless classified as endangered.

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Parson's chameleon -

One of the largest chameleons, pictured is a male with its distinctive orange eyelids.

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Île Sainte-Marie - Known locally as Nosy Boraha, the channel between the island and Madagascar is prime whale-watching territory.

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Île Sainte-Marie -

The island was once a haven for pirates in the 17th and 18th centuries. Pictured is a pirates' cemetery.

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Satanic leaf-tailed gecko -

Its bizarre and totally unique appearance places this species of nocturnal reptile at the top of wildlife enthusiasts' wish lists.

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Grey-headed lovebird -

The adult female (right) is entirely green while the adult male is distinguished by its pale grey head and upper body.

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Ravenala -

This iconic flowering plant isn't a true palm, although it's referred to as traveler's palm.

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Isalo National Park - Home to an exciting variety of fauna, including the endangered Malagasy rainbow frog, the park can be trekked—but only with a local guide.

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Aye-aye - You'll need patience and a penchant for staying up all night to spy this endangered lemur, the world's largest nocturnal primate.

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Nosy Be - Anchored off the northwest coast of Madagascar, the busy tourist resort of Nosy Be offers visitors verdant island retreats and near-deserted beaches.

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Mouse lemur -

Their ghostly, large-eyed stare lends these diminutive lemurs a spooky appearance. Indeed, this is another species Malagasy people associate closely with the spiritual world.

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Tenrec - Tenrecs are found on Madagascar and in parts of the African mainland. A diverse species, some resemble hedgehogs, like this spiky, punky, peroxide-colored resident.

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Labord's chameleon -

Named after French adventurer, industrialist, and the first French consul to Madagascar, Jean Laborde (1805–1878).

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Avenue of the Baobabs -

One of the island's most recognized natural wonders, the baobab trees lining the dirt track between Morondava and Belon'i Tsiribihina are a world-famous attraction.

See also: Bizarre trees with a fascinating history

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